Buffalo Bills News - March 19, 2004

Bannister Says He Wants to Play Receiver [8:06 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'"I talked to the receiver coach and the special teams coach. I think they're excited for me to be able to do both, especially playing a second or third receiver position. You have to be able to play special teams too. I think it's a big advantage when you can do both. I'm an up and coming receiver. My best years are ahead of me."'

Williams wants to help Bills [5:16 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'“Does it get any better for me?” said Williams, who missed most of the 2003 season after knee and toe surgeries. “I don’t know the Bills salary cap situation or what they’ve allotted for another tight end, but I will say I’ve had a great time and I would love to be part of this organization. I’m going to come back and be a hard-nosed player for somebody in this league. I’m just praying that it can for my hometown Buffalo Bills.”'

Flurry of offers postpones Volek's decision [5:15 AM]Nashville Tennessean reports:
'Unless they renegotiate that deal by November, they'll have to pay Bledsoe a $2 million bonus, which also makes him a free agent at season's end, or pay him a $7 million bonus to extend the contract through the 2007 season. Either bonus will be a stretch against Buffalo's salary cap, but the Bills are unlikely to pay the $7 million unless Bledsoe is having a career season.'

Volek calling the shots [5:14 AM]Nashville City Paper reports:
'Additionally, the Buffalo Bills may have bowed out of the race, as Staninger informed them Wednesday that their initial offer was not in range and said he had not yet heard back from them.'

Bannister pays a visit to Bills [5:13 AM]Tacoma News Tribune reports:
'"I'm definitely looking forward to having an opportunity to play as a receiver, whether it be the third or second - or first, whatever," Bannister told reporters in Buffalo. "I do want to make that transition. I'm a wide receiver that can play special teams, not a special-teams player that can play receiver."'

Bills need adequate arm behind Bledsoe [5:12 AM]Pro Football Weekly reports:
'The Bills surprisingly bowed out of the Drew Henson sweepstakes early and are likely to consider using a middle- or late-round selection on a quarterback such as Matt Schaub of Virginia. Patriots UFA Damon Huard could be on the radar, and former Ravens QB Chris Redman will get another chance. But for as many hits as Drew Bledsoe is prone to take, even in a toned-down, run-first offense, the Bills have to provide a safety net. It would be unfortunate to be in the division race in November only to see playoff hopes dashed because of a Bledsoe injury. The Falcons know all too well how quickly the cookie crumbles if the main ingredient is lost.'

Williams Visits Bills [5:11 AM]WOKR-TV reports:
'Williams met with Mike Mularkey and the Bills coaching staff and came away impressed by the direction the team is taking. He says the talks will now be between his agent and the team to see if they can come up with contract terms.'

Roland Visits Buffalo [5:09 AM]RNews.com reports:
'"They have a need for a tight end that can get after it, block, and do some of the things I can do," Williams said. "I had a great meeting with Coach Mularkey and we definitely have some similarities in what we want for our team."'

Roland Williams Says He Wants to Play in Buffalo [5:08 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'"The first game I ever went to was when I was six years old. We sat up in the nose bleed seats when they played the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys were beasts that year and Buffalo wasn't that good but Buffalo smashed them."'

March 18, 2004

Bills offer contract to Volek [9:52 AM]AP reports:
'Volek's agent, Ken Staninger, said that his client would like to have his final decision made within the next few days.'

Moulds: Honorary Chairman of NCAA Tournament [9:51 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'I know first hand how those guys feel right now, how excited they are to be in a different city and get the opportunity to play in such a prestigious tournament. You only get this opportunity so many times and you have to take advantage of it every time. From talking to some of the players I got that feeling that I had when I played. They have that same feeling. They are excited to get started.'

Bills offer a contract to Titans QB Volek [5:17 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'“Any time you get a proposal from a quality organization like the Bills, it’s worthy of consideration,” Staninger said. “At this point, that’s all I’d like to comment.”'

Van Pelt chosen as Bills' radio color commentator [5:16 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'Broadcasting has always appealed to him — he majored in communications at the University of Pittsburgh — and he also may decide to coach. Along with his radio work for the Bills, he will also break down film on a volunteer basis for new coach Mike Mularkey and meet early in the week with the team’s quarterbacks.'

Bills Make Offer To Volek [5:15 AM]Nashville Tennessean reports:
'Considering counter offers from the Titans, Bills and Falcons will probably stretch the process through the weekend, Staninger said.'

Volek mulling over three offers [5:14 AM]Nashville City Paper reports:
'Volek, who has now healed from his season-ending December spleen laceration, and agent Ken Staninger faxed another proposal to the Titans Wednesday on the heels of receiving an offer from the Buffalo Bills late Tuesday night, further complicating the decision for the free-agent quarterback. “Buffalo has certainly made a very serious proposal. It is a very legitimate offer and Billy and I have talked about it,” Staninger said.'

March 17, 2004

NFL's No. 1 Good Guy signed by Buffalo [9:06 PM]Bucks County Advance reports:
'Vincent has donated significant moneys to youth athletic programs in both the Trenton and Yardley communities. In addition to many non-athletic programs he supports, Vincent sponsors a summer basketball league for girls in West Trenton, according to Trenton mayoral spokesperson Kent Ashworth. The five-time Pro-Bowler sponsors Trenton Recreation Department drill teams and maintains the only Little League ballpark in West Trenton.'

Bills hire former QB Van Pelt as radio analyst [8:59 PM]Sportsticker reports:
'"The good thing is I get to stay in Buffalo," Van Pelt said. "With the significance of this injury, the chances are probably pretty good that I won't play again. I'm very lucky I got to play nine years. I made a ton of friends on the team and in the community."'

Volek considering Falcons, Titans [8:15 PM]Atlanta Journal Constitution reports:
'Denver, Green Bay and Buffalo have shown interest, too, but Volek's agent, Ken Staninger, said Volek's choices have been narrowed down to the Titans and Falcons, who are believed to have offered at least $1 million more to sign than Tennessee.'

QB Van Pelt named Bills radio broadcaster [2:24 PM]AP reports:
'Van Pelt spent all of his nine seasons with the Bills working mostly as a backup. He had 11 starts in 31 appearances and combined for 2,985 yards passing with 16 touchdowns and 24 interceptions.'

Van Pelt exit leaves QB hole [8:52 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Van Pelt tore a ligament in his wrist in the pregame warm-up before the Bills-Dolphins game in December. He was approached about the analyst job about a month ago after it became clear the wrist might keep him out well into the season. The Bills save about $1 million against the salary cap by terminating the contract.'

Vincent has high hopes for Bills [8:51 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"I think what we've all found out is that with the parity we've seen the last few years . . . the turnover of head coaches, the turnover of personnel each year, no one knows who's going to win," Vincent said in a phone interview with Buffalo-area reporters Tuesday. "I don't think anyone can make a promise. . . . Last year on paper, the Bills were very talented. They had more talent than most teams in the NFL. Some injuries happened and the chemistry just wasn't there, and they didn't perform to the caliber of play they're capable of. Our chances now are just as good as any team in the NFL."'

AVP To Team With John Murphy On Radio [8:50 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'The Bills today announced that former quarterback Alex Van Pelt has been selected as the color analyst for the Bills Radio Network.'

Wideouts are slow to make adjustments [8:49 AM]ESPN reports:
"For whatever reason," allowed Buffalo Bills rookie coach Mike Mularkey at the recent combine sessions in Indianapolis, "(wide receiver) is a more difficult position to project than most people might think."'

Vincent upbeat about chance [5:18 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'“Last year, on paper, the Bills were very talented. They had more talent than most teams in the NFL but there were injuries and the chemistry just wasn’t there. But this is another season, and I can say our talent is as good as any in the National Football League.”'

Bills let Van Pelt go, but don't shut door entirely [5:17 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'Alex Van Pelt’s playing career as a Buffalo Bill may have ended, but the longtime backup quarterback may rejoin the club, either in a football or business-related capacity in the front office. An announcement could come as soon as today.'

Van Pelt Tenure Ends [5:15 AM]RNews.com reports:
'Van Pelt was a Buffalo quarterback for nine seasons. He served mostly as a backup but started 11 times in 31 games for his NFL career and ranks among the top ten passers in Bills history.'

Bills sign free agent CB Troy Vincent [5:14 AM]Sportsticker reports:
'Troy Vincent, known for his superb play on the field and charitable works off it, signed a multi-year contract with the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday.'